Workshops

At Otronicon, the world of interactive technology is at your fingertips – literally.

If you’re considering a career in technology or digital media, or you’re just interested in learning how it’s done, you won’t want to miss one of our hands-on workshops. Taught by industry professionals, these workshops will give you a firsthand look at what you need to know to become the industry’s next star.

Workshops are $5.00 to register in advance. Space is limited. Some sessions may have a materials fee to participate. Please see below for a full list of sessions and details.

To find out more information or pre-register for a workshop prior to Friday, January 18, please call 407.514.2112 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Registrations will be accepted on day of at the Registration Area if there is space available. Please check-in at the Registration Area on Level 1 at least 15 minutes prior to your workshop; classes will be escorted to the Labs from the Registration Area.

Workshop Schedule

January 18 - 21, 2013

Learn Math and Science by Using Interactive Simulations

Saturday, January 19, 10:30am

Workshop instructor – Eugenio Rodriguez, DeVry University

Discover how one can learn math and science using video-game simulations.  This workshop will show you some of the games that have been developed for the education of math and science, and how learning can be fun.

Exploring iPhone App Development with Titanium Mobile

Saturday, January 19, 12:30pm

Sunday, January 20, 12:30pm

Workshop instructor – Jon Friskics, School of Visual Arts and Design at UCF

In this session we will be discussing some of the techniques and challenges in building apps for Apple's iPhone. Students will have a chance to learn some of the basics of iPhone app development with the Titanium Mobile software, and the session will culminate with students working hands-on with Titanium and customizing an iPhone app with pictures and text, and sound.

Introduction to Photoshop: Changing Yourself into a Na’vi from Avatar

Friday, January 18, 2:30pm

Saturday, January 19, 2:30pm

Sunday, January 20, 2:30pm

Monday, January 21, 2:30pm

Workshop instructor – Victor Randle, UCF CREATE

Did you love the movie Avatar or how the movies create these characters? Participants will have an opportunity to learn the basics of Photoshop and how design software can be used to create the creations from Avatar.

How Building Legos is Like Building Games

Friday, January 18, 2:30pm

Workshop instructor – Ron Weaver, UCF FIEA

Ever wondered what it feels like to develop a complex video game without having all the components figured out up front? This workshop will show you what it feels like to be a game developer, struggling to create an intricate system without all the pieces fully defined. And yes, there will be Legos.

Game Design and iOS Development

Friday, January 18, 4:30pm

Saturday, January 19, 4:30pm

Workshop instructor – Tom Carbone, UCF FIEA

Using the very same development tools professionals use for iPhone application development, students will walk through the process of designing a simple mobile application for iPhone/iPad. Students will use XCode and Interface Builder to create their apps, and will run their apps using the iOS simulator.

Procedural Creativity

Friday, January 18, 12:30pm

Monday, January 21, 12:30pm

Workshop instructor – Rick Hall, UCF FIEA

The presenter asserts that creativity, rather than being some inexplicable gift, is instead a learnable, improvable skill. By understanding where creativity comes from, it is entirely possible to create a step-by-step process that allows one to arrive at creative results, even if one is not considered “creative” by nature. Not only will creativity be defined and understood in terms of where it originates in the mind, but a series of processes and exercises will provided that lay the foundations for future creative thinking and creative problem solving. Not limited to merely games, such processes can be just as easily applied to creative writing or even technical problem solving.

iPad Animation

Friday, January 18, 10:30am

Saturday, January 19, 10:30am

Workshop instructor – Brian Salisbury, UCF FIEA

Add some character to your iPad! This workshop will be a hands-on experience with the basics of 2D animation using the iPad.

Journey into the Imaginarium

Friday, January 18, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm

Workshop instructor – Dr. Elaine Raybourn, Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative

What would you do if you had to interact with a digital friend in a virtual world to discover new species in an unfamiliar ecosystem? This workshop will show you what it feels like to be a virtual explorer that everyone is counting on to solve the mystery - what will you learn about yourself and others?

Computer Security Essentials

Friday, January 18, 2:30pm

Workshop instructor – Mr. A. Melendez, Valencia College

Do you love using the latest technology but are unsure how to protect it? This workshop will introduce some important tips to help you improve your home computer's security.

Introduction to Soldering - Build a Game

Friday, January 18, 12:30pm

Saturday, January 19, 12:30pm

Sunday, January 20, 12:30pm

Monday, January 21, 12:30pm

Workshop instructor – FamiLAB, Orlando’s Hackerspace/Community Lab

Want to learn more about electronics, but don’t know how to solder? This workshop will teach you the basics of soldering (including safety!) while you build a battery-powered “Simon Says” game kit. This workshop has a $15.00 materials fee for your “Simon Says” kit (a $24.95 value!), and you leave with a working game!

Ages 12+ (A parent / guardian must attend the workshop and actively work with the student to ensure safety).

Introduction to Arduino

Friday, January 18, 5:00pm

Saturday, January 19, 5:00pm

Workshop instructor – FamiLAB, Orlando’s Hackerspace/Community Lab

The Arduino microcontroller was designed to make it easy for students and artists to bring their creations to life. This credit card-sized computer is used to control everything from robots to 3D printers to light shows. This workshop will teach you the basics of the Arduino hardware, and how to control basic electronics like LEDs using the C programming language.

Ages 12+ (A parent / guardian must remain in the classroom during the workshop).

Getting Started with Raspberry Pi

Friday, January 18, 3:00pm

Saturday, January 19, 3:00pm

Sunday, January 20, 3:00pm

Monday, January 21, 3:00pm

Workshop instructor – FamiLAB, Orlando’s Hackerspace/Community Lab

Come try the exciting new Raspberry Pi computer! This workshop will teach about the Raspberry Pi hardware and software, demonstrate some real-world uses of this amazing new hardware, and provide the students with some hands-on time with a Raspberry Pi computer.

Ages 8+ (A parent / guardian must remain in the classroom during the workshop). **This is a beginner-level course, however prior computer experience is recommended.

Scratch: Game Programming for Kids

Friday, January 18, 10:30am

Saturday, January 19, 10:30am

Sunday, January 20, 10:30am

Monday, January 21, 10:30am

Workshop instructor – FamiLAB, Orlando’s Hackerspace/Community Lab

The Scratch programming language was designed to make “it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art”. This “drag and drop” programming language is fun for kids and a great introduction to programming. We will be learning Scratch on the exciting new Raspberry Pi computer that was designed and built to encourage kids to learn computer science!

Ages 5+ (A parent / guardian must remain in the classroom during the workshop).